Wallabies 2025

[Slim 293]

Sleepy Jo has got to go; his selections have been dreadful

- Jorgensen was fine this week. He should have played; he was mildly sick last week
- Why was AA rested against Italy? whereas Wilson should've been rested with Valetini starting (and why was he only given 17 mins)
- Why do we have Kellaway doing the goalkicking and restarts?
- Why has Edmed been in the squad? Donaldson and Lynagh should be there over him, and why was JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) not called in?
- Why is there no communication/transparency with the injuries, unlike NZ
- Why has Lonergan been given very limited minutes, when we're only using two 9's

Have you personally assessed Jorgensen's health?

Valetini didn't start because his calf is still not at 100%, which was communicated prior to the match.

Who should have been doing the goal kicking and restarts?

It was clearly communicated why Lynagh is not on this tour...

Edmed is in the squad because we've lost Lolesio and Lynagh, and JOC (James O'Connor) is not a long term option.

I'm also not sure what impact JOC (James O'Connor) would've had on this game, aside from maybe converting the first try... and I don't know what Donaldson would've added when it's clear he's not any better than the above selections?

I would like to see Lonergan get more minutes, but I also don't think that would've made much of a difference and none of those points really address any of the real issues.

 

[Hogan]

Have you personally assessed Jorgensen's health?

Valetini didn't start because his calf is still not at 100%, which was communicated prior to the match.

Who should have been doing the goal kicking and restarts?

It was clearly communicated why Lynagh is not on this tour...

Edmed is in the squad because we've lost Lolesio and Lynagh, and JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) is not a long term option.

I'm also not sure what impact JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) would've had on this game, aside from maybe converting the first try... and I don't know what Donaldson would've added when it's clear he's not any better than the above selections?

I would like to see Lonergan get more minutes, but I also don't think that would've made much of a difference and none of those points really address any of the real issues.

Going on previous games, O’Connor would have definitely made a difference coming on to replace Carter Gordon and would possibly have won the game for us with his ability to spark the attack and close out a game. Unfortunately we’ll never know. And Edmed has been a terrible selection by Schmidt. He might be a good defender but the team’s attack stalls when he is at 10. He poses absolutely no threat with ball in hand. Donaldson should have been selected ahead of him imo. A much more threatening player in attack with an elusive running game. And to watch Kellaway kickoff way too deep everytime not allowing our kick chasers to apply any pressure allowed the Italians to exit their 22 with ease. Starting the game without a recognised kicker was a rookie error. Not to mention Jake Gordon kicking for touch.

 

[Slim 293]

Going on previous games, O’Connor would have definitely made a difference coming on to replace Carter Gordon and would possibly have won the game for us with his ability to spark the attack and close out a game. Unfortunately we’ll never know.

When were these previous games?

 

[Tazzmania]

Who should have been doing the goal kicking and restarts?

How do you go into a test match without a proper goal kicker and kick restarter (who at least have done it more than a couple times on the training track), bearing in mind this is a test match, how crucial restarts are and knowing that we may possibly need points off the tee?

This was not a "clubbies" rugby match or kick around in the park.

 

[Rugby110]

How do you go into a test match without a proper goal kicker and kick restarter (who at least have done it more than a couple times on the training track), bearing in mind this is a test match, how crucial restarts are and knowing that we may possibly need points off the tee?

This was not a "clubbies" rugby match or kick around in the park.

Kellaway 2/3 goal kicks and his kick offs were good. Kellway’s first kick was from the side line and probably nervous for his first kick. It was Jake Gordon’s kick for touch kicks that were short.

 

[Yoda]

Kellaway 2/3 goal kicks and his kick offs were good. Kellway’s first kick was from the side line and probably nervous for his first kick. It was Jake Gordon’s kick for touch kicks that were short.

Kick offs were too deep allowing easy exits. First goal kick wasn't easy but it wasn't on the sideline. He's not a recognised kicker. Lonergan should have started or Edmed as goal kickers. Joe is all over the place with his selections. Pete Samu gets what 5 minutes? Lonergan 5 minutes? Joke.

 

[Yoda]

When were these previous games?

Do you actually watch rugby?

 

[Joe Blow]

It looks as though Carter Gordon is a very good prospect at 10 moving forward. Lonergen is a high level goal kicker and is very fast at the base. Play them together from this point on.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I believe Tizzano was also not available for selection last week. We really need his impact off the bench, should come on for last 30 minutes in combination with McReight.

Also time to give Swain a game to freshen things up as squad looking a bit tired.

Kellaway could do with a rest, he has been ordinary, would like to see a back 3 of daugunu, pietsch and jorgo full back

 

[Yoda]

I believe Tizzano was also not available for selection last week. We really need his impact off the bench, should come on for last 30 minutes in combination with McReight.

Also time to give Swain a game to freshen things up as squad looking a bit tired.

Kellaway could do with a rest, he has been ordinary, would like to see a back 3 of daugunu, pietsch and jorgo full back

Swain is heading home according to reports? Why?

 

[KOB1987]

Swain is heading home according to reports? Why?

He was there as coverage for Canham who was undergoing HIA protocols, and now that he and Skelton are potentially available I guess he's surplus to requirements

 

[Yoda]

He was there as coverage for Canham who was undergoing HIA protocols, and now that he and Skelton are potentially available I guess he's surplus to requirements

Skelton has been ruled out with an ankle injury he picked up in his club game for the next two Tests! I'd have started Swain v Ireland.

 

[KOB1987]

Skelton has been ruled out with an ankle injury he picked up in his club game for the next two Tests! I'd have started Swain v Ireland.

I hadn't picked up on that news when I replied, but it says he was there as injury cover and I guess that is now Canham.

 

[Rugby110]

It looks as though Carter Gordon is a very good prospect at 10 moving forward. Lonergen is a high level goal kicker and is very fast at the base. Play them together from this point on.

Carter’s goal kicking sits between 70 and 75% across Super Rugby and test rugby. Not ideal for test rugby, but at the same time not a complete write-off. A few tweaks and time in the 2026 season should improve that. Confidence might be the problem, not his ability.
Kevin Foote described Carter’s kicking for touch as a player who wanted to get every last metre up the field to give his forwards confidence in getting over the line. He over cooked a few but was never criticised for not getting the distance. No doubt he has a big boot but with maturity and time away to reflect on his 2023/24 rugby seasons, he might just get this right. It’s better to have a kicker who can get the distance and then to control the accuracy.

 

[Beattie]

Carter’s goal kicking sits between 70 and 75% across Super Rugby and test rugby. Not ideal for test rugby, but at the same time not a complete write-off. A few tweaks and time in the 2026 season should improve that. Confidence might be the problem, not his ability.
Kevin Foote described Carter’s kicking for touch as a player who wanted to get every last metre up the field to give his forwards confidence in getting over the line. He over cooked a few but was never criticised for not getting the distance. No doubt he has a big boot but with maturity and time away to reflect on his 2023/24 rugby seasons, he might just get this right. It’s better to have a kicker who can get the distance and then to control the accuracy.

If Carter can kick off both his left and right boot as good as he did after 2 years away from test footy, he can surely nail his kicks for touch and goal. When he first started playing at the Rebels, Hodge was the kicker so he has had limited time consistently kicking at that level. You could even say only the 2024 season realistically.

 

[Yoda]

If Carter can kick off both his left and right boot as good as he did after 2 years away from test footy, he can surely nail his kicks for touch and goal. When he first started playing at the Rebels, Hodge was the kicker so he has had limited time consistently kicking at that level. You could even say only the 2024 season realistically.

We also need to have our 10 running the backline. Especially with someone like Gordon, JOC (James O'Connor) or Donaldson. Our three best imo. Not this Jake Gordon dominance, which is all Schmidt. Hopefully Kiss will change that because we are too predictable and put absolutely zero doubt in the defence's mind.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

They clearly have no interest in Swain if he's being sent home from a group no exactly flying and no Skelton to come in.

Kiss will give them an intial lift through a new stimulus but nothing in his coaching record suggests we will see a transformation. Going to have to focus on repeatable fundamentals. A side that is not as good as it's rivals can't afford to not do all the little things well every time.

 

[Slim 293]

Do you actually watch rugby?

So, which one of these games since the start of the RC?

 

[Yoda]

So, which one of these games since the start of the RC?

Second half in Johannesburg.... in Sydney v Argies after Edmed shocker... The complete balls up of him not wanted v NZ and then wanted after flying all the way to England. Obviously didn't help preparing for the All Blacks. Heard that was because Waugh stepped in on that. Schmidt didn't want him to play. That was a farce. He's a far greater 10 that Edmed. Let's see if he gets in the 23 v Ireland? Carter starts now he's fit. James off bench for the last 20.

 

[Tomthumb]

Have you personally assessed Jorgensen's health?

Valetini didn't start because his calf is still not at 100%, which was communicated prior to the match.

Who should have been doing the goal kicking and restarts?

It was clearly communicated why Lynagh is not on this tour...

Edmed is in the squad because we've lost Lolesio and Lynagh, and JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) is not a long term option.

I'm also not sure what impact JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) would've had on this game, aside from maybe converting the first try... and I don't know what Donaldson would've added when it's clear he's not any better than the above selections?

I would like to see Lonergan get more minutes, but I also don't think that would've made much of a difference and none of those points really address any of the real issues.

Schmidt himself said Jorgenson is fine, was a bit sick before the England game but mentioned nothing about him being sick this week

If Valetini is healthy enough to be on the bench he is healthy enough to start considering he could have been on in the 1st minute

Who should be kicking? Maybe someone that actually does it regularly

Lynagh has not been clearly communicated. Schmidt has implied without actually saying he's unavailable, but Kiss said it was a coaches decision to have him not go and have a full preseason. Is he cleared or not? we don't know

Edmed is not a short term/mid term/long term option either. The irony of dropping a guy that was actually involved in all our best wins under Schmidt in Donaldosn due to "work ons' and then picking a guy with infinitely more "works ons" makes absolutely no sense. We were up 19-12 when Edmed came on

Problem is Schmidt talks out of both sides of his mouth. Talks about how tired the players are yet barely uses his bench